Weapons evolve, injustice remains

Posted on : 2010-11-01 15:42 KST Modified on : 2010-11-01 15:42 KST

By Jang Bong-kun

   

In the foreground, a key union member of KEC, a maker of mobile phone parts, attempts self-immolation, resisting a surprise arrest by the police in a KEC factory.

Behind the KEC building, a riot police officer uses a club to beat a Ssangyong Union member occupying a factory in protest against a mass dismissal plan by Ssangyong management for selling the company.

A tenant living and struggling against eviction in a Yongsan redevelopment area becomes engulfed in flames on a makeshift watchtower that caught fire during a raid involving scores of riot police officers.

Beside them stand heavily armored riot police armed with sound cannons, tasers, water cannons and shields.

Late laborer Chun Tae-il who died from self-immolation in protest of inhumane labor conditions, looks on, saying, “Though 40 years have passed... the only thing that has improved is the riot police weaponry.”

The KEC union member who attempted self-immolation was taken to the hospital and suffered third-degree burns to his face, chest and right hand. Some 170 union members went on strike following the rupture of negotiations with the management, and occupied the Gumi factory for eleven days.

(Hankyoreh Geurimpan Nov. 1) 

 

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